The Aljafería Palace, a majestic fortified building, was built in Zaragoza, Spain during the second half of the 11th century. Its construction was ordered by Abu Ja’far Ahmad ibn Sulaymán al-Muqtadir Billah, known by his honorific title of Al-Muqtadir, “the Powerful”, as his recreational residence. The name of Aljafería is derived from the pronoun of Al-Muqtadir, Abu Ya’far, and from “Ya’far”, “Al-Yafariyya”, which evolved into “Aliafaria” and from there to “Aljafería”. Initially, the construction was carried out outside the Roman wall, on the plain known as La Almozara, a place where Muslims carried out their military exercises. With the passing of time and urban expansion, the building has been integrated into the city. Continue reading “The Aljafería Palace, Zaragoza, Spain”
